Jan. 8, 2014

Written by

Malia Rulon Herman

@mrulon

WASHINGTON — The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has until Wednesday to answer questions from congressional investigators about why a major access point to the George Washington Bridge was unexpectedly closed last September.

Democratic Sen. Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia, chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, wrote to Port Authority chairman David Samson and vice chairman Scott Rechler on Dec. 16, asking them to answer a series of questions about the lane closures in Fort Lee, which created massive traffic jams.

“Unwarranted lane closures with no public notice can have serious ramifications on interstate commerce and safety in the region,” Rockefeller wrote. “The gravity of this situation demands a comprehensive investigation.”

Immediately following initial reports of the road closures, Democratic Rep. Bill Pascrell of New Jersey, whose district includes Fort Lee, wrote to then-Port Authority Executive Director Bill Baroni, asking for an explanation. Baroni later left the Port Authority amid the controversy.

Critics have said the lane closures appear to be payback aimed at punishing Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich, a Democrat, for not endorsing Republican Gov. Chris Christie’s re-election bid. Emails and text messages obtained by the Asbury Park Press indicate that a key member of Christie’s staff knew about the lane closures and that there was a vindictive motive behind the closures.

Christie said in a news release Wednesday afternoon he was “outraged” by the newly released documents.

“What I’ve seen today for the first time is unacceptable,” his statement said. “I am outraged and deeply saddened to learn that not only was I misled by a member of my staff, but this completely inappropriate and unsanctioned conduct was made without my knowledge.”

Christie said “this type of behavior is unacceptable, and I will not tolerate it.” He added that it was “not representative of me or my administration in any way, and people will be held responsible for their actions.”

Rockefeller has not said whether he will schedule a hearing on the issue or whether he will compel the Port Authority to testify.

Separately, Rockefeller wrote to Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, urging his agency to “fully review” the incident. It wasn’t immediately clear if federal transportation officials are also investigating. A spokesman said the DOT is aware of the new documents released Wednesday and was communicating with Rockefeller’s office about the matter.

Pascrell said he is “outraged” by the new documents linking Christie’s staff to the lane closures.

“It’s time for the governor to stop with the mockery and the denials and take responsibility for what his administration has done here in Fort Lee and perhaps elsewhere in New Jersey,” he said.